25 Tips for Summer Organizing: Simplify & Relax
Summer is the perfect time to create a more relaxed and functional space at home. With longer days and a more flexible schedule, you can use your time during the season to simplify your home and make everyday life easier. With a less structured schedule, you can take self-care time too during the summer months. Here are 25 organizing tips to help you start summer on the right note.
Declutter for a Fresh Start
Letting go and editing is always the first step.
- Start with a quick Sweep. Walk through your home and gather items you no longer need. Grab stuff you have seen sitting around your home and creating clutter, put it in a bag and drop it off as strong start to decluttering. Throughout the summer do the same every Sunday.
- Sort seasonal items. With school ended, pack away winter gear that has been left out and bring out summer essentials for the backyard, patio or summer sports. Group items that are alike and store in labelled bins.
- Let go of winter gear that has not been worn. Donate clothes that have not been used in several winter seasons.
- Declutter Beach & Pool Gear. Toss broken floats, expired sunscreen, and unused accessories for a fresh start for summer essentials.
- Limit Paper Clutter. You may have gotten behind during Maycember and need to quickly recycle and shred paper and mail that is cluttering your counters.
Organize Room-by-Room
Work room-by-room to have a sense of accomplishment.
- Start with an entryway reset to set summer essentials like sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats near the door. You can use a back of the door shoe organizer to help hold these items near the point of use.
- Organize your kitchen for summer-friendly foods, declutter the fridge, and create a snack station. Fill your snack station includes healthy fruits and veggies to encourage good choices. Evaluate all the water tumblers and keep your favorites only.
- Dig deep in your primary and auxiliary closets to let go of unworn items. Get your closet swap completed so that you can store winter clothing and organize summer outfits for easy access.
- Freshen up your bathroom for summer. Get rid of expired products and restock travel-sized toiletries for trips.
- Work in the early morning in your garage for a cleanup. Organize gardening tools, sports equipment, and outdoor games to find what you need quickly. If your garage has become a dumping group, sort out and let go of what has been discarded there.
Smart Storage Solutions
Storage solutions make it easier to stay organized.
- Make it easy to find what you need by using clear labelled bins for summer gear. You can keep beach towels, yard games, and picnic supplies in labeled bins.
- Create “grab and go” bags for both summer sports and impromptu summer outings. Keep your cooler and folding chairs handy with a bag stocked with ziploks and antibacterial wipes.
- Make it easier to access items with command hooks attached where items are easy to find. Hooks for towels and bags make it easy to keep the floor clear.
- Utilize outdoor storage bins for pool and outside items that are frequently used items. There are a variety of waterproof bins with lids to drop in toys.
- Place a bin, basket or shoe rack at your entry to designate shoe, flip-flop and sandal storage.
Prioritize Self-Care
Now is the time to be sure you take care of yourself first.
- Because the sun comes up earlier, start each day with natural light and fresh air. Only 15 minutes outside at day break makes your day more enjoyable.
- Take the opportunity for walks each day. Even a 10 minute walk can have an impact on mood and well-being.
- Stick with your regular bedtime, no matter how late the time for sunset. Having a regular bedtime routine makes it easier to have a great night’s rest.
- Try new fruits and veggies that are in season. You will enjoy learning more about new ways to incorporate these into salads and snacks.
- Hydration is always important but especially in the summer due to dehydration. Use your travel tumbler filled with a squeeze of lemon to keep you hydrated all summer long.
Maintain an Organized Routine
Establish routines that maintain all the effort you have put in this season.
- Stay organized while you travel away from home this summer. Keep a dedicated space for packing essentials.
- Try out new ways to create team work with your family. Assign simple summer chores and partnerships for cooking to keep spaces tidy.
- Keep your family meeting going to discuss upcoming events, why organizing matters and how everyone can be a partner in the effort.
- Keep clutter under control with quick daily resets and a weekly Sunday reset.
- Fight the urge to be perfect in all things organizing. Celebrate all the micro-steps of success!
By taking these small steps, you can create a home that feels lighter, fresher, and ready for summer fun. Happy organizing!